FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Several legislators from Fairfield County, including state Reps. John Frey (of Ridgfield) and Jan Giegler (of Ridgefield and Danbury) joined their fellow Republicans in the state legislature in introducing an alternative budget plan on Thursday, April 17.

GOP lawmakers say their plan manages to stay safely under the constitutional spending cap while restoring vital transportation funds, providing tax relief to state residents, and increasing aid to municipalities.

“A budget that is balanced with smoke and mirrors and financial gimmicks is not truly balanced,” Frey, said in a statement. “While some falsely boast about a temporary slight surplus in the current fiscal year, we already know the current path leads to billion dollar deficits in the out years, which almost certainly means higher taxes. Adding new spending and resorting to using off-budget funds just makes that inevitable shortfall worse – that’s why it is so important for us to offer this alternative.”

The plan would also eliminate the $55 tax rebate proposed by Gov. Dannel Malloy and cancel the implementation of the lottery game Keno.